I’ve been a fan of The Commando since he first appeared on our TV screens on The Biggest Loser reality show in 2007, he appeared tough, mysterious and man of few but firm words and instilled fear into all the contestants. Using Tractor tyres, heavy ropes, and often mud he was a force to be reckoned with. I’ve seen his group motivation that if someone dropped from a plank or other move the whole group had to start again. I think it was probably borderline TORTURE. I also read his book NO EXCUSES in 2010 which was where I heard about the crazy world of Crossfit. Now Crossfit is everywhere and something I would love to try 1 day.

So how did I win a torture session with The Commando? From an Instagram hashtag, #garmincommando. Unbelievable but true. I never thought anyone won anything from Instagram or Facebook but I am living proof.

The nervous wait to start our session with The Commando

So thanks to Garmin Australia, my friend Belinda and I along with 60 of Commando or Garmin’s biggest fans descended on a secret location in Sydney for a group training session.

The group of lucky winners. – Photo courtesy of Garmin Australia

The Commando started the session advising everyone to work to their own capability (best thing I’d heard so far), because despite wanting to push myself and to be pushed, but I needed to still be able to function walk after. We started with a 5 minute warm-up which was as much to test our brain as it was to warm up the body. With the group running around an indoor basketball court and Commando calling out changes, high knees, bum kicks, side steps, backwards running, change direction etc and firing the changes at a rapid rate. I was like a deer in the headlights, with coordination not being my strong suit, however I was pleased to say I wasn’t the only 1. By the end of the 5 minute warm up I could tell this session was going to be a world of pain.

We then progressed to yoga style moves and stretches before getting into the hard core workout.

Now I don’t want to give away all the Commando’s secrets and to be honest there wasn’t many exercises I hadn’t attempted before, but the way he put the session together tested how tough you were. I’ve got 2 words for you “Bear Crawls”, now I hate these at the best of times but the surface of the basketball court was some crazy hard plastic criss cross concoction which hurt your hands like nothing else, so I was more a princess about my hands than the cardio workout I was getting, there was also a whole list of other exercises that I cringe at including burpees which almot stopped me in my tracks. I pushed on doing my own version as best I could. Now I don’t want to brag but during the session he high fived me, I never saw him do that to anyone else, yay me. I don’t know why I deserved that but I’ll take it.

After 3x 4 minute tabata rounds with a 4 minute rest (yes he let us rest) we finished off with a group game before a motivational talk.

My Commando Steve quote of the day: “Be the person you want the world to be.”

Some others quotes he uses are:

“Keep it simple and do the work”

“You can’t OUT TRAIN a bad diet”

“There are NO EXCUSES”

And 1 of my all time favourites that I have embraced over the last few years:“BEING FIT IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE MIND AS THE BODY”

I was a little disappointed I didn’t get “The Commando” off the TV, I would have loved to flip a tractor tyre (at least once), however according to this article from 2013 Steve is happy that he can smile and put his personality into training his contestants.

So all in all a great workout 1050 calorie burn according to my Garmin Vivofit and so glad I could take my friend Belinda along for the ride.

We survived and still have smiles all round.

Garmin dished out some cool North Face backpacks, Garmin t-shirts and caps after the event. I think everyone was secretly hoping for a new Garmin watch (a girl can dream).

The Commando, very generous with his time for photos with all the attendees.

The Commando was very gracious with his time and knowledge after the event, allowing everyone the opportunity to chat and take pictures. Did I mention I lined up twice. Well the 2nd time I waited til right at the end to have a chat to him about Indoor Rowing on the Concept 2, something I know he is passionate about in the hopes that he may be involved in upcoming events. Watch this space.

Someone asked me what he was like, and as with all celebrities, he is human, but also very approachable and I found him extremely motivating (and easy on the eyes). All in all a great morning.